Durant opted to extend his reported $30 million deal with the Golden State Warriors this summer on another short-team one-plus-one contract which allows him to enter free agency once again next year.

Meanwhile LeBron James, after ending four seasons in Cleveland, signed a four-year $154 million deal with the Lakers on July 1. This marks the first time in James’ career to switch to the Western Conference.

Recently, the four-time league MVP hoped to convince Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to team up with him, thereby forming a super team. But the efforts of team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka to strike a deal were rebuffed. LBJ be joined instead by veterans Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley.

During Thursday’s edition of Undisputed, NBA expert Skip Bayless contends that with Durant open to discussions about playing alongside James next summer, help for the team would be on its way. Bayless also claimed that James attempted to recruit Durant earlier this summer because he was unrestricted, a free agent.

Durant reportedly replied by saying, “Not this year, maybe next year depending on what happens.”

This week, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN claims a Durant-Kawhi Leonard team-up would benefit the two-time Defensive Player of the Year than a partnership with James. Leonard, whose current deal is due to expire in 2019, is widely speculated to join the LA Lakers next summer. But for Smith, he maintains that Durant is a more suitable teammate for Leonard.

Long-term target Paul George chose to extend a four-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder while Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors from the San Antonio Spurs.